A "SHOCKED" former councillor has spoken out in defence of Bournemouth council's parks department after a homeowner said Knyveton Gardens has become a "social wasteland".

As reported in the Daily Echo, Paul Morgan, who lives in Southcote Road, said the area has been "taken over" by drug addicts.

And Mr Morgan took on the council over the public gardens at a residents' association meeting last week, claiming the parks department had failed to clear away surrounding undergrowth, which screens addicts while they inject.

He also said he had been forced to tidy away a syringe after council officials failed to respond to his emails and calls about the needle.

Ex-councillor Roger West has now written to council leader John Beesley over the matter.

In his letter, Mr West wrote: "The parks department was severely criticised by the meeting, which was unacceptable as that department was not represented."

He added that it was "not right" to blame officers who "always do their best".

"The meeting was so concerned about the drugs issue that one resident wanted a notice to be put up warning children and parents about needles," he wrote.

"We also heard about drugs being sold openly in the presence of children."

Mr Morgan stormed out the meeting after telling residents about the issues.